Kemp's ridleys
- Patients’ Status
- Current
- Transfer Date
- December 12, 2024
- Location
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Reason for Rescue
- Cold-stunned.
Initial Assessment
- Weight
- 1.4 kg to 3.4 kg
- Exam Findings
- Active with thin body conditions. Skin lesions present on several. One has a carapace injury.
- Treatment
- Antibiotics and fluids
Their Story
On December 12, Clearwater Marine Aquarium received 12 juvenile Kemp’s ridleys transfers from New England Aquarium. These turtles were part of a recent mass cold-stun event in Cape Cod Massachusetts. These facilities treat hundreds of sea turtles every year due to cold-stunning. When their facilities reach max capacity, they transfer out their patients to other sea turtle hospitals to make room for new intakes. Sea turtles can experience cold-stunning when water temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. This can lead to decrease circulation, lethargy, hypothermia, and pneumonia. Upon arrival at CMA, all 12 turtles received a full workup from our vet team which included an exam and lab work.
Interesting Fact: You may see numbers written on their carapaces. This is their identification number from stranding in Massachusetts. The number correlates to the number of turtles stranding. For example, 350 is the 350th sea turtle that stranded (dead or alive) during this cold-stun event. We will continue to utilize these numbers as identification while at CMA.
Treatment Updates
- 12.13.21
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All 12 were placed in deep water and are doing well!
- 12.17.24
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Majority have been eating well over the last several days. They were started on official diets. 350 went for a CT scan due to carapace injury.
- 12.18.24
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Recheck radiographs will be completed this week. Based on findings, recheck CTs will be scheduled and some will potentially start on oral antibiotics and antifungals.
- 1.4.25
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We have started tube feeding patient 330 due to lack of appetite to provide nutritional support.
- 1.14.25
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Patient 330 has started eating on their own! Recheck exams, radiographs, and bloodwork was performed recently on all patients. Several still have signs of pneumonia and are staying on antibiotics and antifungals.
- 1.29.25
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4 Kemp’s ridleys were successfully released at New Smyrna Beach by FWC!
- 2.11.25
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6 Kemp’s ridleys have received a clean bill of health from our staff veterinarian!
345 is still on oral antibiotics and 350 is undergoing cold laser treatment to help their carapace injury heal.
- 2.27.25
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6 Kemp’s ridleys were released on the east coast of Florida!
- 3.12.25
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345 was taken off antibiotics. 350 underwent a wound debridement procedure to their carapace due to improper healing. They have been doing well post procedure! We are continuing to do cold laser treatment daily.
- 3.26.25
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345 was put back on antibiotics and antifungals after a recheck CT. 350 is continuing to heal well!
- 4.8.25
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350’s carapace injury has healed extremely well! They have now received a clean bill of health from our staff veterinarian!
All marine turtle footage taken in Florida was obtained with the approval of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under conditions not harmful to marine turtles. Footage was acquired while conducting authorized conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-19-172.